But Brooking, 34, has been an upgrade on the field and in the locker room. In Sunday’s win over Seattle, he led the Cowboys with 11 tackles, including eight solo, and also had a sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit.

For whatever reason, Thomas wasn’t very vocal in the locker room. But that hasn’t been the case with Brooking, possibly because he feels empowered by his ties to Phillips.

“Zach Thomas was a proven Pro Bowl player as was Brooking,” Wade Phillips said Monday. “But Zach wasn’t as vocal. I think Brook has been really good for us. Nothing against Zach, because he made a lot of plays for us, too. But I think Brook has certainly helped us. I think players are being more accountable because of him. Because he makes you be that way.”